Humidity-adjusting air conditioner

ABSTRACT

A humidity-adjusting air conditioner includes a casing, a heat exchanger, a humidifier and an airflow driving device. The heat exchanger is disposed within the casing for transferring heat of an airflow. The heat exchanger includes a primary duct and a secondary duct. The secondary duct includes a valve. The valve is selectively opened or closed to control whether the secondary duct transfers heat of the airflow. The humidifier is disposed beside a flow path of the airflow for humidifying the airflow. The airflow driving device is disposed within the casing for driving the airflow.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to a humidity-adjusting air conditioner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, with development of high-tech industries, the concept of the cloud computing has emerged. Cloud computing is a paradigm in which information is permanently stored in servers on the Internet and cached temporarily on clients that include desktops, entertainment centers, table computers, notebooks, wall computers, handhelds, etc. Essentially, cloud computing is a form of distributed computing. In a basic distributed computing system, plural computers (e.g. two or several tens of thousands) are in communication with each other through a network, wherein every computer can access the resources of every other computer belonging to the network. Generally, cloud computing allows consumers and businesses to access their personal files at any computer with internet access. For reducing the load of respective terminal computers, abundant systematic software and data are stored in the remote data center.

Nowadays, a green data center is disclosed for housing servers, storage devices and network installations to centralizing data storage and management, in which the mechanical, lighting, electrical and computer systems are designed for maximum energy efficiency and minimum environmental impact.

Generally, the electronic device within the data center includes a circuit board and plural electronic components. In a case that the ambient environment of the data center is too dry, the electronic device is readily damaged because of static electricity generated between the circuit board and the electronic components. Whereas, in a case that the ambient environment of the data center is too humid, the circuit board and the electronic components are readily corroded after a long term. For protecting the electronic device, the data center should have a high-efficient constant temperature and humidity air conditioner. Conventionally, if the air temperature is relatively higher, the humidifying efficacy is increased. However, for cooling the air and optionally humidifying the air, a partition plate is installed within the constant temperature and humidity air conditioner. By the partition plate, a primary flow channel and a secondary flow channel are defined in the air conditioner. The cooler is arranged in the primary flow channel. A first portion of the hot air is introduced into the primary flow channel through an inlet opening of the air conditioner, and cooled by the cooler. A second portion of the hot air passes through the secondary flow channel, and humidified by a humidifier.

The conventional constant temperature and humidity air conditioner, however, still has some drawbacks. For example, even if the humidity in the air is stable and the humidifying operation is not needed, the second portion of the hot air still passes through the secondary flow channel, and is mixed with the cooled air in the primary flow channel. In this situation, the temperature of the cooled air in the primary flow channel is increased, and thus the cooling efficacy of the overall constant temperature and humidity air conditioner is unsatisfied.

Moreover, since an additional partition plate is installed within the constant temperature and humidity air conditioner, the space for installing the cooler is insufficient if the volume of air conditioner and the flow rate of the airflow are unchanged. In this situation, the amount of heat-exchanged airflow is reduced.

Therefore, there is a need of providing a humidity-adjusting air conditioner to obviate the drawbacks encountered from the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a humidity-adjusting air conditioner in order to reduce the power loss, enhance the cooling efficacy, increase the flow rate of the airflow and increase the amount of heat-exchanged airflow.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a humidity-adjusting air conditioner. The humidity-adjusting air conditioner includes a casing, a heat exchanger, a humidifier and an airflow driving device. The heat exchanger is disposed within the casing for transferring heat of an airflow. The heat exchanger includes a primary duct and a secondary duct, and the secondary duct includes a valve. The valve is selectively opened or closed to control whether the secondary duct transfers heat of the airflow. The humidifier is disposed beside a flow path of the airflow for humidifying the airflow. The airflow driving device is disposed within the casing for driving the airflow.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a humidity-adjusting air conditioner. The humidity-adjusting air conditioner includes a heat exchanger, a humidifier and an airflow driving device. The heat exchanger includes a primary duct and a secondary duct for transferring heat of an airflow. A valve is disposed in the secondary duct. The valve is selectively opened or closed to selectively flow a heat-transfer medium through the secondary duct. The humidifier is disposed beside a flow path of the airflow. When the valve is closed, the humidifier is turned on for humidifying the airflow. The airflow driving device is disposed within the casing for driving the airflow.

The above contents of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective views illustrating a humidity-adjusting air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective views illustrating the internal structure of the humidity-adjusting air conditioner of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a heat exchanger used in the humidity-adjusting air conditioner of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 3A is a schematic view illustrating the internal portion of the humidity-adjusting air conditioner, in which the valve is opened but the humidifier is turned off; and

FIG. 3B is a schematic view illustrating the internal portion of the humidity-adjusting air conditioner, in which the valve is closed but the humidifier is turned on.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of this invention are presented herein for purpose of illustration and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed.

The present invention provides a humidity-adjusting air conditioner. The humidity-adjusting air conditioner is used for regulating and maintaining the temperature and humidity of the airflow in a system equipment (e.g. a data processing equipment in a data center) while preventing the cooler, the circuit board and the electronic components from causing static electricity or corrosion.

FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective views illustrating a humidity-adjusting air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective views illustrating the internal structure of the humidity-adjusting air conditioner as shown in FIG. 1A. As shown FIGS. 1A and 1B, the humidity-adjusting air conditioner 2 includes a casing 20, a heat exchanger 21, a humidifier 22 and an airflow driving device 23. The casing 20 has a receptacle 200, a first opening 201 and a second opening 202. A hot input airflow At1 (i.e. a to-be-cooled input airflow) is introduced into the receptacle 200 of the casing 20 through the first opening 201. The heat of the input airflow At1 is partially transferred by the humidity-adjusting air conditioner 2. As such, the temperature of the input airflow At1 is reduced, and a cooled output airflow At2 is exhausted out of the casing 20 through the second opening 202 to achieve the purpose of reducing the airflow temperature. Moreover, if the temperature and humidity of the airflow is unsteady, the heat-exchanging operation and the humidifying operation will be simultaneously performed on the input airflow At1 by the air conditioner 2, and the cooled and humidified output airflow At2 is exhausted out of the casing 20 through the second opening 202 in order to achieve the purpose of reducing the airflow temperature and increasing the airflow humidity.

In this embodiment, the receptacle 200 of the casing 20 further includes a first zone 203 and a second zone 204. The first zone 203 is arranged in the vicinity of the first opening 201. The second zone 204 is arranged in the vicinity of the second opening 202. The heat exchanger 21 is disposed in the first zone 203 for transferring heat of the input airflow At1, which is introduced into the receptacle 200 of the casing 20 through the first opening 201. The humidifier 22 is disposed in the first zone 203 or the second zone 204 for selectively humidifying the input airflow At1. The airflow driving device 23 is disposed in the second zone 204 for driving the airflow. An example of the airflow driving device 23 includes but is not limited to a non-axial flow fan (e.g. a blower). In some embodiments, the humidity-adjusting air conditioner 2 further includes a controller 24 for controlling operations of the humidity-adjusting air conditioner 2.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a heat exchanger used in the humidity-adjusting air conditioner of FIG. 1B. As shown in FIGS. 1B and 2, the heat exchanger 21 includes an input duct 210, a primary duct 211, a secondary duct 212 and an output duct 213. The primary duct 211 and the secondary duct 212 are respectively arranged at a first side 203 a and a second side 203 b of the first zone 203. The input duct 210 is in communication with the primary duct 211 and the secondary duct 212 for inputting a heat-transfer medium. The output duct 213 is in communication with the primary duct 211 and the secondary duct 212 for convergence-outputting the heat-transfer medium.

The heat-transfer medium is introduced into the primary duct 211 and the secondary duct 212 through the input duct 210, and then converged at the output duct 213, and exhausted out of the casing 20 through the output duct 213. At least one valve 2120 is disposed in the secondary duct 212. By controlling open/close statuses of the valve 2120, the heat-transfer medium is selectively introduced into the secondary duct 212. The humidifier 22 is disposed beside a flow path of the airflow for humidifying the airflow. It is preferred that the humidifier 22 is disposed beside the secondary duct 212. In this embodiment, the input duct 210, the primary duct 211, the secondary duct 212 and the output duct 213 are made of metallic material (e.g. copper). Moreover, for enhancing the efficacy of transferring the heat of the input airflow At1, the primary duct 211 and the secondary duct 212 run through plural copper sheets (not shown). An example of the heat-transfer medium includes but is not limited to water or coolant.

FIG. 3A is a schematic view illustrating the internal portion of the humidity-adjusting air conditioner, in which the valve is opened but the humidifier is turned off. Please refer to FIGS. 1B and 3A. The humidity-adjusting air conditioner 2 further includes a controller 24, which is connected to the humidifier 22 and the valve 2120. If a sensor (not shown) inside or outside the humidity-adjusting air conditioner 2 judges that the airflow does not need to be humidified, a sensing signal is transmitted from the sensor to a controller 24. In response to the sensing signal, the controller 24 generates a control signal. In response to the control signal, the valve 2120 is opened but the humidifier 22 is turned off. Meanwhile, the heat-transfer medium is introduced into the primary duct 211 and the secondary duct 212 through the input duct 210. In addition, the input airflow At1 passes through the primary duct 211 and the secondary duct 212, which are respectively arranged at the first side 203 a and the second side 203 b of the first zone 203. As such, the heat of the input airflow At1 passing through the primary duct 211 is transferred by the heat-transfer medium within the primary duct 211, then a portion of the input airflow At1 is cooled down, and a primary airflow Ma having a lower temperature than the input airflow At1 is produced. In addition, the heat of the input airflow At1 passing through the secondary duct 212 is transferred by the heat-transfer medium within the secondary duct 212, then a portion of the input airflow At1 is cooled down, and a heat-exchanged secondary airflow Sa1 is produced. The primary airflow Ma and the secondary airflow Sa1 are introduced into in the second zone 204, and mixed together to result in the output airflow At2. Afterwards, by the airflow driving device 23, the output airflow At2 is exhausted out of the casing 20 through the second opening 202.

FIG. 3B is a schematic view illustrating the internal portion of the humidity-adjusting air conditioner, in which the valve is closed but the humidifier is turned on. Please refer to FIGS. 1B and 3B. If the sensor inside or outside the humidity-adjusting air conditioner 2 judges that the ambient air is relatively hot and less humid, a sensing signal is transmitted from the sensor to a controller 24. In response to the sensing signal, the controller 24 generates a control signal. In response to the control signal, the valve 2120 is completely or partially closed to hinder the heat-transfer medium from completely or partially entering the secondary duct 212 and the humidifier 22 is turned on. As such, the heat of the input airflow At1 passing through the primary duct 211 at the first side 203 a is transferred by the heat-transfer medium within the primary duct 211, then a portion of the input airflow At1 is cooled down, and a primary airflow Ma having a lower temperature than the input airflow At1 is produced. Whereas, since the valve 2120 is closed, no heat-transfer medium flows through the secondary duct 212. In other words, the heat of the input airflow At1 passing through the secondary duct 212 at the second side 203 b is not fully transferred by the heat-transfer medium, so that a non-heat-exchanged secondary airflow Sa2 is produced. Then, the secondary airflow Sa2 is humidified by the humidifier 22, which is arranged beside the valve 2120 or the secondary duct 212, so that the humidity of the secondary airflow Sa2 is increased. The cooled primary airflow Ma and the humidified secondary airflow Sa2 are introduced into in the second zone 204, and mixed together to result in the output airflow At2. Afterwards, by the airflow driving device 23, the output airflow At2 is exhausted out of the casing 20 through the second opening 202. In this situation, the purposes of cooling and humidifying the airflow are achieved.

In the above embodiment, the heat exchanger 21 is disposed in the first zone 203, and the airflow driving device 23 is disposed in the second zone 204. Nevertheless, the airflow driving device 23 may be disposed in the first zone 203 and the heat exchanger 21 is disposed in the second zone 204.

From the above description, the humidity-adjusting air conditioner of the present invention is capable of regulating the temperature and humidity of the airflow. In the humidity-adjusting air conditioner, a valve is disposed in the secondary duct of the heat exchanger, and a humidifier is disposed beside a flow path of the airflow. By controlling open/close statuses of the valve, the heat-transfer medium is selectively introduced into the secondary duct. If the airflow needn't be humidified, the valve is opened but the humidifier is turned off. As such, the heat of the input airflow passing through the primary duct is transferred by the heat-transfer medium within the primary duct, and the input airflow is cooled down. On the other hand, if the airflow needs to be humidified, the valve is completely or partially closed but the humidifier is turned on. Since the valve is completely or partially closed, the heat-transfer medium is hindered from completely or partially entering the secondary duct. Moreover, since the secondary airflow is humidified by the humidifier, the humidity of the secondary airflow is increased. In this situation, the purposes of cooling and humidifying the airflow are achieved.

In a case that the airflow humidity is stable and the airflow needn't be humidified, the heat of the input airflow is sufficiently transferred by the heat-transfer medium, and thus the power loss of the heat exchanger is reduced and the cooling efficacy of the overall air conditioner is enhanced. Moreover, since no additional partition plate is disposed within the air conditioner of the present invention, if the volume of the air conditioner and the flow rate of the airflow are unchanged, the space for installing the heat exchanger is increased and the amount of heat-exchanged airflow is increased.

While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures. 

1. A humidity-adjusting air conditioner, comprising: a casing; a heat exchanger disposed within said casing for transferring heat of an airflow, wherein said heat exchanger comprises a primary duct and a secondary duct, said secondary duct comprise a valve, and said valve is selectively opened or closed to control whether said secondary duct transfers heat of said airflow; a humidifier disposed beside a flow path of said airflow for humidifying said airflow; and an airflow driving device disposed within said casing for driving said airflow.
 2. The humidity-adjusting air conditioner according to claim 1 wherein said casing has a receptacle, a first opening and a second opening, said receptacle includes a first zone and a second zone, and said airflow is introduced into said receptacle of said casing through said first opening and exhausted out of said casing through said second opening.
 3. The humidity-adjusting air conditioner according to claim 2 wherein said primary duct and said secondary duct are respectively arranged at a first side and a second side of said first zone.
 4. The humidity-adjusting air conditioner according to claim 1 wherein said heat exchanger further comprises: an input duct in communication with said primary duct and said secondary duct for inputting a heat-transfer medium; and an output duct in communication with said primary duct and said secondary duct for convergence-outputting said heat-transfer medium.
 5. The humidity-adjusting air conditioner according to claim 4 wherein said heat-transfer medium is water or coolant.
 6. The humidity-adjusting air conditioner according to claim 1 wherein when said valve of said secondary duct is closed, said humidifier is turned on for humidifying said airflow.
 7. The humidity-adjusting air conditioner according to claim 1 wherein when said valve is opened, said humidifier is turned off, and said primary duct and said secondary duct transfer heat of said airflow.
 8. The humidity-adjusting air conditioner according to claim 1 further comprising a controller, which is connected with said humidifier and said valve for controlling on/off statuses of said humidifier and open/close statuses of said valve.
 9. A humidity-adjusting air conditioner, comprising: a heat exchanger comprising a primary duct and a secondary duct for transferring heat of an airflow, wherein a valve is disposed in said secondary duct, and said valve is selectively opened or closed to selectively flow a heat-transfer medium through said secondary duct; a humidifier disposed beside a flow path of said airflow, wherein when said valve is closed, said humidifier is turned on for humidifying said airflow; and an airflow driving device disposed within said casing for driving said airflow.
 10. The humidity-adjusting air conditioner according to claim 9 wherein when said valve is opened, said humidifier is turned off, and said primary duct and said secondary duct transfer heat of said airflow. 